Crime by Night

Sounds like a serious film noir, judging from the title. Wet,dark alleys, trench coats, world-weary private eye, etc. But it's not - "Crime By Night" is a breezy, light-hearted crime story that could have been a series. No telling where Warner Bros. was going with this entertaining B picture, but it could have been better than the main feature it played with.

Jerome Cowan is the star as the genial, unflappable private eye and Jane Wyman is his 'girl Friday', even though she has top billing. Can't remember Jerome Cowan as the leading man before. He spent most of his career as a supporting actor, but goes all out here as he solves a murder mystery - and it's a genuine whodunit, which is the yardstick by which all mysteries are measured. If you haven't seen it and you're a mystery movie fan, give it a shot. It's only 75 minutes of your time.

CRIME BY NIGHT is a neat little programmer that gives JEROME COWAN one of his few leading roles in films. He was usually the man who supported the big Warner stars in films ranging from MR. SKEFFINGTON to THE MALTESE FALCON, always a reliable character actor.

For an up-and-coming contract star, JANE WYMAN was given little to do in this caper, making me wonder how she ever reached full fledged stardom at the studio that insisted on wasting her talent in fluffy, very inconsequential roles in films like this and FLIGHT ANGELS, always the brassy wise-cracking dame before she tackled more serious roles. Another actress with a future at the studio is also on hand in a small part, ELEANOR PARKER, but it's FAYE EMERSON who has the most interesting role and she makes the most of it.

The story is a dull contrivance about a vacationing detective (Cowan) who helps clear an innocent man of murder. He and Wyman join forces to solve the crime which turns out to be embedded in some sort of spy plot that is never hinted at until the final scene.

Summing up: A weak programmer that wastes the Warner contract players.

Crime by Night (1944)

** (out of 4)

"B" picture from Warner has private detective Sam Campbell (Jerome Cowan) being hired by a man whose ex father-in-law has been brutally murdered and he's the main suspect. The man claims he's innocent so the detective and his girlfriend/helper (Jane Wyman) convinces him to turn himself in so that they can search for the real killer. As far as detective movies go, this one here is pretty routine from start to finish and unlike some I was able to pick up on the big twist that happens at the end. I'm going to guess that if you don't see the twist coming then you might stay more caught up in everything that's going on but if you do catch hold then everything that follows is pretty much by-the-numbers. There are a few good moments scattered throughout but certainly not enough to recommend the film. It is great getting to see character actor Cowan playing the lead and I think he does a very good job in the part. He's got a certain laid-back coolness about him that really helps the character. Wyman is also pretty good in her supporting role but she's pretty much wasted. Both Eleanor Parker and Charles Lang are good in their supporting roles but it's character actor Cy Kendall who steals the film as the local Sheriff. The story itself really isn't all that entertaining as there are just way too many clichés and all of them are pretty bland. The only exception might be the first sight of the murdered man and the amount of blood that he has on him. Usually when you see dead bodies from this era it's no different than seeing a live one but I was surprised to see that they covered the victim with blood. CRIME BY NIGHT doesn't have much going for it besides the performances so this one here is certainly just for those who must see every mystery film made.

"Crime by Night" is based on a book by Daniel Mainwaring, who went to write some of the best screen plays of the genre. This 1944 B movie was directed with great style by William Clemens. The film has good moments, but best of all is the presence of Jerome Cowan in the main role of the private investigator, Sam Campbell.

Sam is called to help a man accused of killing his father-in-law, a crime he didn't commit. Sam arrives accompanied by his assistant, Robbie Vance, who he calls "Candy Lamb". The story takes us to meet the corrupt sheriff Max Anders who is running for reelection. We also meet the cunning Ann Marlowe, a shady woman who has an interest in all we are seeing. Sam Campbell solves the mystery with assurance.

For being a B movie, "Crime by Night" gathered an interesting cast. Best of all, Jerome Cowan, who played in a lot of films of the genre, most notably in "The Maltese Falcon". Mr. Cowan didn't make it big in the movies, but in this one, he is quite enjoyable as the sleazy man who knows where to go to unmask the truth. Jane Wyman is hardly seen, although she is quite effective in her small part. Faye Emerson plays Ann Marlowe with style and conviction. Cy Kendall is the crooked sheriff Max Anders. Eleanor Parker and Charles Wilson are also seen in smaller parts.

Another comment to this forum says it all in the praise to TCM for keeping these forgotten movies alive by presenting them from time to time to new audiences.

I'm surprised by the fairly good reviews this B mystery has received by several IMDb reviewers, having found the movie thoroughly implausible. Character actor Jerome Cowan has a rare starring role as a ladies man detective (despite being well into middle-age and not particularly handsome) who is trying to prove that a maimed retired concert pianist did not kill his belligerent ex-father-in-law. Jane Wyman receives top billing as Cowan's gal Friday and while she starts out the movie in what appears to be a starring role, disappears for much of the middle of it. She is much missed as Cowan and company struggle to hold one's interest in this rather dull and improbable tale.

Not surprised to learn this one sat on the shelf at Warner Bros. for over a year. There's a horribly edited scene of Cowan and Faye Emerson speaking seated in a car with two very rough jumps that is as bad a continuity as any I've seen in a major studio's film from the period.

One has to give supporting actor Fred Kelsey (as Dad Martin) props though for not breaking character as a persistent fly keeps flying around and landing on his arm during one conversation scene with Cowan (why Kelsey has to ignore the fly to keep in character is explained at the denouement.) This movie is only 72 minutes long but it really drags. Jane Wyman is as perky and delightful as she always is in these early "sassy girl" roles but this time her hard work can't make this one ultimately a success.